The Grand Canyon with 5 Yr Old and Grandparents...

Hi there - Arizona in February is the best! I am an Arizona native so I know the state very well.
We're you planning to do a day trip or were you going to stay overnight somewhere? Scottsdale to the G.C and back is a very long day, not impossible, but long.
If you're going to do an overnight then I would suggest staying in Flagstaff and doing a hike in Sedona, both are on the way to the G.C.
Sedona is much more scenic and activity-friendly (nice tourist shopping areas and easy hikes/jeep tours) than the G.C.

You could also do a day trip to the G.C. and do your hiking in Scottsdale (I still recommend a drive through Sedona, if you've never been).

Feel free to email if you'd like some more info. or have questions.

Good luck!
C.

Hey H.,

We went a couple of years ago with a 5 and 2 1/2 year old. We drove to Williams Arizona and took the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon. We stayed over night at the the hotel in Williams and took the one day tour. They have a Skit that is put before we got on the train by old time rustlers that was pretty funny and then on the way back from the grand canyon closer to Willaims they rob the train. Its cute and the kids loved it. The train ride each way was is little over 2 hours. When we got to the grand canyon we took buses to different stops got off and walked to the sides of the canyon to check out the awsom sites. My father-in-law was with us he was 68 at the time and he to seemed to enjoy it. You can stay at the Grand Canyon also and make it a two day trip if you choose. Go on line and google Grand Canyon Railway and you can check out the different packages they offer. I would recommend it. We also took a horse and carraige ride along Rt 66 in Williams and the kids enjoyed that to. We got lucky we went in November and it was 65 degrees the day we went to the grand canyon. We were told it had snowed the week before and was quite cold. Depending on when you plan your visit the hotel was able to give an idea of what the weather may be like. Good Luck

We took our 3 children and my parents to the GC a couple years ago. My kids were 5,7 & 8 at the time. We stayed in the GC for two nights in one of the 5 lodges within the park. Lodging books up very early in the park, but 2 miles outside the park there are lots of motels. We barely hiked, but instead toured on a bus where no cars can go. It took us the whole day and we all loved it. There are many buses doing the same route so you can be leisurly about it, and linger at any stop and get on another bus. Many years ago cars were allowed access where the buses can go, but not any longer so the bus is the way to see the GC in one day. Now they have the glass lookout floor so we all want to go back. It did snow the day we arrived in mid April, and we weren't prepared with gloves, snow boots etc, but the bus came in handy in keeping us warm. I bought some books and read about going on a night hike and bought flashlights for everyone, but my kids were scared. I apparently read too much to the kids about mountain lions. Oops. Anyway enjoy!!!

The Grand Canyon is beautiful - you could drive around the various lookout points, but the hiking will be challenging. Even if you only wanted to hike part of the canyon, the steepest part is the top (I have been to the bottom twice). I would second the previous poster and do your hiking in Sedona. There is also some neat hiking nearby (the name is escaping me), but it is at cliff dwellings.

We went down on mules! It was amazing. I was a preteen and my brother was about 10 yrs. There were older people on the trip I remember and the guide make sure you all keep drinking lots. We spent the night at the bottom. I don't know what they would say about the 5 yr old...I am SURE you would ride with him but I mean as far as attention it might be a lot. It is an all day thing, but you do stop. The wait list might be super long...don't know...but what an adventure. I will never forget it!

We went on our honeymoon to the Grand Canyon in late January and we loved it! I highly recommend the Grand Canyon Railway Tour! I believe it is deeply discounted this time of year and your son and the Grandparent's will love it!

H.,

We just got back from Scottsdale/Sedona a few weeks ago. I second the post about Sedona. It is beautiful! I also recomend the jeep tours in Sedona. We took the Pink Jeep tours and had a blast. Not sure if Granpa can make it, it does jar you around a bit but it was great! Sedona has some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen! I never made it but I hear that there is another Canyon not too far from Sedona, called Oak Creek Canyon. It is said that God made the Grand Canyon for everyone but made Oak Creek canyon for himself.

We also did the Apache Trail drive while staying in Scottsdale. It took us the better part of 6 hours to drive, but we stopped along the way. They have an old mining town called Goldfield Mines where you can tour a mine, pan for gold, watch an old fashion gun fight, train ride and hear the history of the old town. Send me a PM if you want to hear more about it.

Also along the trail, near the end of it there are some Cliff Dwelings. We arrived to late for the tour but you could see some from the prarking lot.

I also recomend Jerome AZ. It's about 1/2 from Sedona. It's supposed to be a haunted town. It sits up in the mountains at about 5,000 feet. The views are stunning! They also have an old abandond (sp?) mine that you can tour.

Take a camera, it is a very beautiful area! Enjoy your trip. DH and I are starting to save to go back next year with the kids!
S.